Root Canal Therapy in Baton Rouge, LA
Despite its bad reputation, root canal treatment isn’t something that you need to fear. It’s a routine procedure that can relieve you of tooth pain and ensure you maintain a healthy smile. If you are dealing with a tooth infection, visit Jones Creek Family Dentistry for gentle root canal therapy. We’ll treat you with care and compassion!
Request ConsultationSigns You May Have a Tooth Infection
Wondering how you’ll know you have a tooth infection in the first place? Different people have different symptoms, but you may experience one or more of the following:
- Tooth pain (can range from a dull ache to a sharp pain)
- Tooth sensitivity
- Tender gums
- Swollen gums
- Dark discoloration of tooth
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Bitter taste in mouth
- Bad breath
If you notice any of these, we recommend contacting Jones Creek Family Dentistry so our dentist Dr. Jones can determine the cause of an issue. Even if dental root canal treatment is not needed, there might be another problem that needs addressing. It’s always best to remedy concerns as soon as possible so they don’t end up causing you even more down the road!
Contact UsHow Root Canal Treatment Works
Root canal treatment is used whenever an infection spreads deep down inside a tooth, into the soft tissue called the pulp. Whenever this inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can so severely damage a tooth that extraction becomes necessary to keep you healthy. We’d much rather you keep your natural tooth whenever possible, which is why we may recommend root canal treatment.
After examining the tooth and taking any necessary X-rays, we’ll administer a local anesthetic to the treatment area. You shouldn’t experience any pain during the procedure; all it will feel like is some pressure while we work. If you’d like, we also offer sedation dentistry at our practice to help you feel more comfortable.
Next, we’ll make a small opening in the top of the infected tooth through which we’ll clean away any of the affected material. Once the area is cleaned, we’ll shape and fill the root canals to seal them from future infection. Finally, we’ll place a restoration on top of your tooth. This restoration is either a filling or a dental crown, and it returns your tooth back to full function.
Make AppointmentRoot Canal FAQs
Why do I need a root canal?
No one wants to hear that they need a root canal performed, but sometimes it is necessary to save a tooth and restore it back to a healthy state. The only alternative to receiving a root canal is having the tooth extracted and replaced with a dental restoration. Root canals are less invasive than dental restoration procedures and they allow patients to keep their natural teeth, so most patients and dental professionals agree that they are a better alternative.
Is root canal therapy painful?
Contrary to popular belief, root canals are rarely more painful or uncomfortable than similar treatments like getting a cavity filled. Before the root canal treatment begins, a local anesthetic will be injected into the gums that surround the tooth that is receiving treatment in order to fully numb the area. You may feel a small pinch when the anesthetic is injected, but the procedure itself should be completely painless. If you feel any pain or sensitivity in the days following a root canal treatment, it shouldn’t be anything that an over-the-counter pain medication can’t relieve.
Can you be sedated during a root canal?
Sedation during a root canal is not required by any means, but if you are nervous about receiving a root canal treatment or you have general dental anxiety, our team will be happy to help you with our relaxing sedation options. We offer nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, and oral conscious sedation. Both of these options allow the patient to remain conscious during the procedure, but the anxious thoughts and feelings that would normally arise are kept at bay, allowing the patient to feel very relaxed and at-ease.
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